Mike Tee

If you don’t want to grab them (as above), flap a large towel at them as you walk towards them. It works, don’t know why, maybe it looks another even larger bird coming at them!!

Ed Boden is (or was) Marsworth based - if he can’t sort it, he will know who can locally.

Another support from me for the flue temp gauge- ideal for the backcabin stove when on my own, just a glance down and if the temp starts dropping, just knock it out of gear and nip down to bung on more fuel. Hate to be cold!!

The main thing when singlehanding is to take it slowly and try to think ahead - its bad enough having an 'incident' when with crew or if sharing a lock - out in the wilds on your own it can suddenly get very serious.

Is this anything to do with the Kings clothes?

Not cheap but is robust - however, 'easily stored' depends on your definition.................. I always found room on all the boats I have owned, and always found it useful for a variety of uses https://www.mailspeedmarine.com/oil-extractor-pump-37774.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5qy12ICr5QIVxYayCh0liwBPEAQYAiABEgL6sfD_BwE

Yes, that was my first thought, but possibly too early for him, so could be a late William Alexander

Can't immediately remember his name but its in the style (and the area) of the gentleman from Blisworth who was a prolific boat photographer some years ago - died in the last 20 or so years I think. Will try and track down his name later.

Can you feel all round the prop, even down the bottom? Sounds like a lump of wood between the bottom of the prop and the skeg.

Or to put it another way, when someone uses the I’ve had 40 years line, I often think ‘no mate, you’ve had one years experience 40 times’

It looks a bit like those things that bishops or priests wave about so maybe its for pot pourri

Well it's working a treat!

OOOOH - lateral thinking!!!